Posted: Sep 06, 2013 4:21 PM
Updated: Sep 06, 2013 5:17 PM
By Brittany Wright
BOZEMAN –
Early this year, A Belgrade couple gave birth to a baby girl with a serious heart defect causing her to need a heart transplant.
“It’s nothing you ever want to go through. It’s one of the toughest things we’ve ever had to experience as a family,” said Bradley Dahl, Poppy’s Father.
Poppy Florence Dahl was born this past March with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a serious heart defect in which the left side of the heart is undeveloped.
Poppy went through her first surgery shortly after she was born, but did not react as doctors had hoped.
“The whole time the doctors thought why isn’t she thriving, why can’t she get her chest closed, why isn’t her heart not tolerate her chest being closed,” said Christi Dahl, Poppy’s Mother.
Then, Poppy had a heart transplant at the end of May which went very well.
“She’s doing great. She loves her new heart. She has no rejection,” said Christi.
But, this happy moment quickly turned into heartbreak. Poppy developed hydrocephalus, a condition in which fluid accumulates in the brain. She was not getting enough oxygen to her brain while doctors performed her first surgeries. Again, Poppy was sent to the operating room.
“You get kind of numb to it. The very first few times were just heart wrenching because you kind of wonder if this is the last time I am going to see her,” said Bradley.
Poppy was discharged early August and since then is doing great.
“For her to be discharged and for us all to be together is amazing,” said Christi. “We’ve really got to know her while she’s been at home with us. We get to play with her and just be a family.”
Currently, the family is living in Seattle as Poppy continues to get regular check-ups. Poppy’s parents said they hope to be home in Montana soon.
“We are so thankful for everyone’s prayers and support. It’s been such a comfort to know that we have had such a loving and prayful community back home,” said Christi.
Poppy will be six months on Sunday. To find out more about poppy and her journey, click here.
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